Atiku assures Yoruba of support, citing deep family ties and pledging South-West interests will be central to his 2027 presidency

The former vice president, who contested the 2023 elections under the Peoples Democratic Party, dismissed fears that his Fulani heritage might bias his leadership.

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In a statement issued by his media consultant, Kola Johnson, Atiku stressed his enduring bond with the Yoruba, citing his marriage to his Ijesha-born wife, Titi, whom he wed in the 1970s.

“My first wife is Yoruba, and we have four Yoruba children together. She sometimes calls me ‘Baba Rere’, meaning good father. The Yoruba have always been my family and closest allies,” he said.

Atiku insisted that ethnicity would never define his presidency, describing himself as a “highly detribalised” Nigerian.

He noted that the Yoruba had always held a “special place” in his heart, not only through marriage but also through political friendship and partnership.

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Having made multiple presidential bids since the 1990s, the PDP stalwart maintained that his vision for 2027 is rooted in inclusivity, unity and justice, with Yoruba interests forming a core part of his agenda.